128i Stalls and Fails to Restart

[SFguy]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Hi ladies and gents -

2009 128i w/ 60k miles. No issues until yesterday.

Driving back in stop and go traffic from Tahoe the car "ran out of gas" with approximately two gallons (literally) left in the tank. It just stopped in traffic and refused to restart. After getting a can from a gas station it started and ran fine. I turned the car off to fill the tank at the next rest stop, and it started up fine after.

Upon arriving home, I turned the car off in front of my apartment to quickly run inside... and it refused to start again, with the same exact ran-out-of-fuel symptoms. After waiting about an hour, it started up, and I got it into my garage. Note: Side-angle of my SF driveway is borderline America Ninja Warrior.

Now, seeing as how time was all it took to start again once home, I'm not sure if it was the time on the side of the road, and not the extra gallon of gas, that got me running the first time. That being said, it literally shut off while driving the first time.

I'm hoping it starts tonight so I can drive it to a local BMW shop. Before I do... And guesses? I've done some searching online and also talked to a good friends who is formerly a BMW factory trained tech.

Thanks in advance. Will update with what I find.

[champignon]

Sounds like a dangerous situation to me, and probably not a good idea to drive it further, as you could end up powerless in the midst of traffic and cause an accident.

The car is presumably out of warranty. Do you belong to AAA? Have you checked your insurance policy to see if you have coverage for towing in the case of mechanical breakdown? This is a low cost add on to basic automobile coverage, and you may well have it.

I suggest having your vehicle towed to your garage of choice, not attempting to drive it there.

As to what is the cause, I am no mechanic, however it could be so many things that trying to guess based on the information you have at hand is unlikely to produce the real answer.

Don't risk you life or the life of others by driving a car that may stop running randomly at any moment.

[SFguy]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, it stayed parked until tonight when I drove it the four blocks to the shop (http://www.phaedrusmd.com/). They're looking it over in the morning and will let me know what they find. I have USAA and they offer free towing (up to 10 miles..).

I'll update the thread tomorrow. With my luck they won't be able to replicate..

[Fes128]

Sounds like the fuel pump.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Always have at least a little more than a 1/4 tank of gas at all times.

Best of luck with the repairs!

Keep us posted!

[Tuxedo]

it does sound fuel pump to me too

CA cars may still cover the fuel system on SULEV 15yr/150k
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1057728

[RoundelM3]

It could indeed be the fuel pump, but it could also be a clogged fuel filter or a combination of both. If you have the ability to read codes, you might want to see if it's throwing any - it will do this without turning on the Check Engine light sometimes.

[fs88]

My N51 had trouble starting a few weeks ago after a 2 hr drive (might not be exact same issue as yours). Took it to dealership the next day and they changed my fuel pump. Don't have trouble since (crossing my fingers)

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...42&postcount=2

[SFguy]

Update: Fuel pump is being replaced

Luckily (unluckily?) the car failed to start once at the shop, so the tech was able to experience the issue first hand, in addition to checking for faults. FYI: Installed price of the pump is $675 (at a labor rate of $140/hr).